Car campers in Anasazi country have lots of choices for where to spend the night. There are many different types of campsites near Anasazi ruins and both public and private campgrounds are found throughout the region. In some places there are camping opportunities outside of designated campgrounds. However, most people find the wide range of developed campgrounds easily fills their needs.

Private campgrounds

     Private campgrounds come in all shapes and sizes and are found in many of the towns in the area. They range from large modern facilities with full showers, laundry and other facilities to small campgrounds with just a site or two tucked in to a scenic spot. Most are located near roads for convenience and to attract attention

     Most private campgrounds near Anasazi ruins cater primarily to RVs and motor homes. Although most have tent camping areas, tents are usually an afterthought and the car camping areas are often lacking in any form of natural ambiance. However, some are excellent for car campers so be sure to check all your options. Many private campgrounds have shower facilities and are a great place to clean up when you have been camping without them. Be sure to check in with the campground operator and pay the shower fee.

     Private campgrounds are operated to produce a profit and the camping fees are established by the owners.

     Public campgrounds

     Most car campers will spend at least part, if not most, of their time in public campgrounds. Public campgrounds in Utah and the surrounding Anasazi country are operated by a number of different agencies. The US Forest Service (USFS), National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and others all operate campgrounds in the area.

     Public campgrounds in Anasazi country range from primitive to deluxe and from tiny to huge. Almost every identified public campground will have designated campsites with picnic tables and established fire areas. They will have rest room facilities of some sort – usually outhouses. Many, if not most, will have water available but don’t assume this without checking first.

     Public campgrounds are generally located in areas that offer great outdoor recreation opportunities. Trail heads, archeology sites, scenically significant areas and other unique places are all likely homes for public campgrounds. Some can be used as a base for exploring surrounding areas while others offer direct access to recreation. Some public campgrounds in Anasazi country are rather remote so make sure you understand the roads you will drive before you head to any site.

     There is almost always a camping fee charged at public campgrounds. At some campgrounds there will be a host or a patrol individual who will collect the fees while at others you need to self register and pay at a kiosk. Some public campgrounds are operated by private companies under contract to the agency. Fees at public campgrounds are generally much lower than at private campgrounds.

Undeveloped Campsites

       There are many places in Anasazi country where it is possible to have a great car camping experience without using a developed campground. Most of the federally owned land is open for camping and many people take advantage. These BLM and US Forest Service lands are scattered across the region and large swaths of the region are BLM lands. Before you go camping in any particular area make sure you are aware of any local restrictions. Although the lands are generally open for camping there are many local exceptions so be sure to know camping is allowed before you set up camp!

       While vast areas of land are open to camping it is always best to try and find an already used undeveloped campsite. In many areas you can find delightful campsites that have been well used by many others. It is common to find established fire rings in these sites but there are no other services - no picnic tables, no water and no outhouses. Of course, you will need to change the way you are camping in these areas to learn more read our suggestions for camping in undeveloped sites. The natural lands of the region are easily damaged by camping so try to confine your impacts to sites that have already been disturbed by others,